Advocate calls for youth to have greater voice in climate fight

Youth need a greater voice in the climate fight.

This was the stance of Genesis Whitlock, a Caribbean researcher and activist for climate justice and sustainability.

Whitlock was a part of the delegation from Antigua and Barbuda that attended COP29.

She explained that she observed many things while in attendance.

While she credited small island countries for their unification and perseverance in bringing the fight to climate justice and climate finance, she mentioned that the larger territories still need to grasp the urgency and act.

One other area was the voice and platform for youth to speak on these issues.

“I just think that continuing to develop platforms that highlight particularly the voices of young people to tell our stories, to give us the platform to ensure our voices are central to the discussion.

“It’s not just about how much money is going to be dedicated to a sustainable infrastructure project, it’s about recognizing farmers are going to be impacted, young people’s ability to tell stories to children rehumanizing us and getting away from thinking about the little data points but really helping other people who may not understand what [certain] things are, have a better image. I just believe being able to center the work of storytellers and voices that may have been left out of the conversation is really how we can move forward,” Whitlock said.

She is hoping that through her research persons who are usually left out of the conversation can now be seen and heard.

In her final year of studies, Whitlock conducts research on climate justice across various policy levels, drawing from her transformative experience studying the Amazon rainforest in Peru.

She is committed to addressing the Caribbean’s underrepresentation in climate discussions, by improving communication and collaboration among activists.

As a farmer, storyteller, activist, and researcher, Genesis continues to integrate diverse insights to promote a sustainable future for the Caribbean, focusing on issues like gender justice and food insecurity within the climate justice framework.

Her research will be complete in May and in June, she will be touring and presenting it across the world.

Whitlock is hoping to bring this study to the Caribbean and collaborate with artists and other storytellers to bring this campaign to life.

Whitlock who is an environmental science and economics student at Dickinson College, was among eight young delegates selected by the Caribbean Climate Justice Leaders Academy to attend COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan in November.

This fully funded opportunity, sponsored by Island Innovation, empowered Whitlock to advocate for climate justice and sustainability for Caribbean Island communities.